Footwear accessories

ABSTRACT

A footwear accessory can include an inner strap having a first attachment mechanism and a second attachment mechanism. The inner strap can be sized and configured to wrap around a perimeter of a person&#39;s lower leg. In some embodiments, the inner strap is releasably coupled to the lower leg via the first attachment mechanism. The footwear accessory can include an outer strap configured to couple to the second attachment mechanism. In some embodiments, when the outer strap is coupled to the second attachment mechanism, the outer strap covers a majority of the inner strap.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/277,749; filed Jan. 12, 2016; and entitled UPPER FOOT ANKLE OR LEG ATTACHMENT DESIGNED TO BEAUTIFY THE LIMB AND TO COMPLIMENT THE LOOK OF FOOTWEAR. The entire contents of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/277,749 are incorporated herein by reference.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/319,392; filed Apr. 7, 2016; and entitled FOOTWEAR ACCESSORIES. The entire contents of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/319,392 are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Field

Various embodiments disclosed herein relate to footwear accessories.

Description of Related Art

Footwear and footwear accessories are chosen by the user to complete an outfit or for a specific look. Accessories can be worn on a user's lower leg to give the user a desired look.

SUMMARY

In several embodiments a footwear accessory may include an inner strap and an outer strap. The inner strap may have a first attachment mechanism and a second attachment mechanism. The inner strap may be sized and configured to wrap around a perimeter of a lower leg of a user. The inner strap may be releasably coupled to the lower leg via the first attachment mechanism. The outer strap may be configured to couple to the second attachment mechanism. The outer strap may cover a majority of the inner strap when the outer strap is coupled to the second attachment mechanism.

In some embodiments the outer strap may include an embellishment comprising at least one of leather, plastic, lace, beads, jewelry, twine, cotton, feather, wool, silk, a ribbon, and a belt. The embellishment may be designed and configured to complement the look of the user. The inner strap may be sized and configured to wrap around a perimeter of at least one of an upper ankle and foot of the user. The first attachment mechanism may include at least one of a first snap fastener, a first metal fastener, a first hook and first loop, a first magnet, a first string, and a first zipper.

In several embodiments the inner strap may define a first height and the first attachment mechanism may define a second height. The second height may be greater than the first height. The inner strap may define a first width that wraps around the perimeter of the lower leg of the user. The outer strap may define a second width that is less than the first width. The second width may be less than the perimeter of the lower leg of the user such that the outer strap may not entirely wrap around the lower leg.

In some embodiments the second attachment mechanism may include at least one of a second snap fastener, a second metal fastener, a second hook and second loop, a second magnet, a second string, and a second zipper. The embellishment may include at least one of a scarf, tassel, and pom pom. The embellishment may vertically hang down a portion of at least one of the upper ankle and foot. The embellishment may cover at least a portion of footwear worn by the user.

In several embodiments the footwear may include one of a sandal and thong boot. The footwear may include a high-heeled shoe. The embellishment may be arranged and configured to conceal a blemish mark on the high-heeled shoe. The footwear may include one of a single strap sandal, multiple strap sandal, boot, stiletto, and pump. The embellishment may be designed and configured to match a color and style of the footwear.

In some embodiments the inner strap may be sized and configured to wrap around at least a portion of the footwear. The inner strap may be sized and configured to wrap around at least a portion of the user's clothing. The embellishment may be a first embellishment, wherein the outer strap includes a second embellishment. The second embellishment may include at least one of leather, plastic, lace, beads, jewelry, twine, cotton, feather, wool, a ribbon, and a belt. The second embellishment may be designed and configured to complement the look of the user.

In some embodiments the outer strap may be a first outer strap. The footwear accessory may include a second outer strap. The second outer strap may be configured to couple to at least one of the second attachment mechanism and the first outer strap. The second outer strap may include a second embellishment comprising at least one of leather, plastic, lace, beads, jewelry, twine, cotton, feather, wool, a ribbon, and a belt. The second embellishment may be designed and configured to complement the look of the user.

In several embodiments the footwear accessory may include an internal sleeve. The internal sleeve may be releasably coupled to the inner strap and the outer strap. The internal sleeve may be configured to position the footwear accessory in a predetermined location along the lower leg of the user. The internal sleeve may include flexible material configured to allow the footwear accessory to slide over a user's foot and ankle.

In some embodiments the embellishment may include leather having a first embroidery design. The footwear accessory may include a piece of fabric attached to the embellishment. The piece of fabric may have a second embroidery design.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages are described below with reference to the drawings, which are intended to illustrate, but not to limit, the invention. In the drawings, like reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout similar embodiments.

FIG. 1 illustrates a diagrammatic view of an inner strap according to some embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates a diagrammatic view of an inner strap according to some embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates a diagrammatic view of an inner strap according to some embodiments.

FIG. 4 illustrates a diagrammatic view of an outer strap according to some embodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates a diagrammatic view of an inner strap on a user's leg according to some embodiments.

FIG. 6 illustrates a footwear accessory according to some embodiments.

FIG. 7 illustrates a footwear accessory according to some embodiments.

FIG. 8 illustrates a diagrammatic view of an outer strap according to some embodiments.

FIG. 9 illustrates a diagrammatic view of an inner strap according to some embodiments.

FIG. 10 illustrates a diagrammatic view of a footwear accessory according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although certain embodiments and examples are disclosed below, inventive subject matter extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses, and to modifications and equivalents thereof. Thus, the scope of the claims appended hereto is not limited by any of the particular embodiments described below. For example, in any method or process disclosed herein, the acts or operations of the method or process may be performed in any suitable sequence and are not necessarily limited to any particular disclosed sequence. Various operations may be described as multiple discrete operations in turn, in a manner that may be helpful in understanding certain embodiments; however, the order of description should not be construed to imply that these operations are order dependent. Additionally, the structures, systems, and/or devices described herein may be embodied as integrated components or as separate components.

For purposes of comparing various embodiments, certain aspects and advantages of these embodiments are described. Not necessarily all such aspects or advantages are achieved by any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, various embodiments may be carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other aspects or advantages as may also be taught or suggested herein.

Introduction

Footwear accessories can aesthetically enhance parts of a user's lower leg and/or footwear. However, presently available footwear accessories may not securely fasten and may shift positions along a user's leg.

Accordingly, the disclosure presents a footwear accessory that securely places and positions the accessory along the upper foot or lower leg areas. The disclosure hereby includes an apparatus and method of attaching embellishments and accessories to the upper foot ankle or leg areas.

Footwear Accessory Embodiments

FIGS. 1-3 show several embodiments of an inner strap 102 of the disclosed footwear accessory. The inner strap 102 can have one or more attachment mechanisms 104, 106. The first attachment mechanisms 104 allow two parts of the inner strap 102 to connect to one another. The first attachment mechanisms may be, for example, snap fasteners, hooks, metal fasteners, hook and loop, straps, a string, a zipper, or other means of non-permanent attachment. The first attachment mechanisms are shown at the ends of the inner strap 102, but may be located anywhere along the inner strap 102. The inner strap 102 is designed to wrap around the perimeter of the lower leg of a user and is releasably coupled to the lower leg via at least one of the attachments 104. Additionally, the inner strap 102 can be adjustable so as to accommodate all different size legs with a secure and comfortable fit.

The inner strap 102 can also have second attachment mechanisms 106. The second attachment mechanisms 106 allow the inner strap 102 to be coupled to at least one outer strap. The second attachment mechanisms 106 may be, for example, snap fasteners, hooks, metal fasteners, hook and loop, straps, a string, a zipper, or other means of non-permanent attachment. The second attachment mechanisms are shown in the center of the inner strap 102 but can be located anywhere along the inner strap 102.

The inner strap 102 may wrap around a perimeter of an upper ankle and foot of the user. The inner strap 102 may wrap around the perimeter of an upper ankle of a user. The inner strap 102 may wrap around the foot of the user.

The inner strap 102 may be sized and configured to wrap around at least a portion of the footwear. The inner strap 102 may be sized and configured to wrap around at least a portion of the user's clothing. The inner strap 102 may define a first width that wraps around the perimeter of the lower leg of the user.

The inner strap 102 may define a first height and the first attachment mechanism 104 may define a second height. The second height may be greater than the first height.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the footwear accessory also includes an outer strap 108. The outer strap couples to the inner strap via one or more attachment mechanisms 110. The attachment mechanism may include at least one of the following: a snap fastener, a metal fastener, a hook and loop, a magnet, a string, straps, hooks, and a zipper. The outer strap 108 covers a majority of the inner strap 102 when the outer strap 108 is coupled to the second attachment mechanisms 106 of the inner strap 102. The outer strap 108 may define a second width that is less than the first width.

In some embodiments the outer strap 108 may be a first outer strap. The footwear accessory may include a second outer strap. The second outer strap may be configured to couple to at least one of the attachment mechanisms 106, 110 and the first outer strap 108.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a footwear accessory 100 includes an inner strap 102 that wraps around the perimeter of the lower leg 112 of a user and is releasably coupled to the lower leg 112 via at least one attachment mechanism. The inner strap 102 has second attachment mechanisms 106 to allow an outer strap 108 to couple to the inner strap 102.

In some embodiments, when the outer strap 108 is fixed to the inner strap 100 this can allow for the outer strap 108 to float around the leg. This combination of the two can ensure a universal fit for the outer strap 108 resulting in a one size fits all.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate an outer strap 108 releasably coupled to the inner strap 102. The outer strap 108 is releasably coupled to the inner strap 102 via the second attachment mechanisms 106 on the inner strap 102 and the attachment mechanisms 110 on the outer strap 108. The outer strap 108 wraps around the lower leg 112 of the user. The outer strap 108 may completely cover the inner strap 102.

Referring now to FIG. 8, the outer strap includes an embellishment 114. The embellishment 114 may comprise at least one of the following: leather, plastic, lace, beads, jewelry, twine, cotton, feather, wool, silk, a ribbon, and a belt. The embellishment 114 may be designed and configured to complement the look of the user. The embellishment 114 may include at least one of the following: a scarf, tassel, and pom pom. In some embodiments, the embellishment 114 may include leather or fabric with an embroidery design. The footwear accessory 100 may also include a piece of fabric or leather attached to the embellishment 114. The piece of fabric or leather may have a second embroidery design.

The embellishment 114 may vertically hang down a portion of the upper ankle or foot. The embellishment 114 may cover at least a portion of footwear worn by the user. The embellishment 114 can conceal a blemish mark on the footwear. For example, the embellishment 114 can conceal a blemish on a high-heeled shoe. The embellishment 114 can be designed and configured to match a color and style of the footwear.

The outer strap 108 can also include a second embellishment. The second embellishment can include at least one of the following: leather, plastic, lace, beads, jewelry, twine, cotton, feather, wool, a ribbon, and a belt. The second embellishment may couple to the first embellishment or the outer strap. The second embellishment may be designed and configured to complement the look of the user.

A second outer strap may include a second embellishment comprising at least one of leather, plastic, lace, beads, jewelry, twine, cotton, feather, wool, a ribbon, and a belt. The second embellishment may be designed and configured to complement the look of the user.

Some embodiments may include a footwear accessory 100 that covers the portion of a user's leg from the ankle to the knee. Accordingly, because of the larger size of the accessory, such embodiments may also include multiple straps, such as two or more of each inner and outer straps, as needed to maintain the footwear accessory 100 in a relatively fixed, yet comfortable position.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a footwear accessory 100 includes an inner strap 102 and an embellishment 114. The embellishment 114 may hang down into the footwear. The embellishment 114 may be designed to match the footwear. The embellishment may be designed to keep a

Referring now to FIG. 10, the width of the outer strap 108 may be less than the perimeter of the lower leg 112 of the user so that the outer strap does not entirely wrap around the user's lower leg 112.

In several embodiments the footwear 116 may include a sandal, a boot, a high-heeled shoe, a stiletto, or a pump. The boot might be a thong boot. The sandal might be single strap sandal or a multiple strap sandal.

In several embodiments the footwear accessory 100 may include an internal sleeve. The internal sleeve may be releasably coupled to the inner strap and the outer strap. The internal sleeve may be configured to position the footwear accessory in a predetermined location along the lower leg of the user. The internal sleeve may include flexible material configured to allow the footwear accessory to slide over a user's foot and ankle.

Interpretation

None of the steps described herein is essential or indispensable. Any of the steps can be adjusted or modified. Other or additional steps can be used. Any portion of any of the steps, processes, structures, and/or devices disclosed or illustrated in one embodiment, flowchart, or example in this specification can be combined or used with or instead of any other portion of any of the steps, processes, structures, and/or devices disclosed or illustrated in a different embodiment, flowchart, or example. The embodiments and examples provided herein are not intended to be discrete and separate from each other.

The section headings and subheadings provided herein are nonlimiting. The section headings and subheadings do not represent or limit the full scope of the embodiments described in the sections to which the headings and subheadings pertain. For example, a section titled “Topic 1” may include embodiments that do not pertain to Topic 1 and embodiments described in other sections may apply to and be combined with embodiments described within the “Topic 1” section.

The various features and processes described above may be used independently of one another, or may be combined in various ways. All possible combinations and subcombinations are intended to fall within the scope of this disclosure. In addition, certain method, event, state, or process blocks may be omitted in some implementations. The methods, steps, and processes described herein are also not limited to any particular sequence, and the blocks, steps, or states relating thereto can be performed in other sequences that are appropriate. For example, described tasks or events may be performed in an order other than the order specifically disclosed. Multiple steps may be combined in a single block or state. The example tasks or events may be performed in serial, in parallel, or in some other manner. Tasks or events may be added to or removed from the disclosed example embodiments. The example systems and components described herein may be configured differently than described. For example, elements may be added to, removed from, or rearranged compared to the disclosed example embodiments.

Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” “may,” “e.g.,” and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without author input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment. The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like are synonymous and are used inclusively, in an open-ended fashion, and do not exclude additional elements, features, acts, operations and so forth. Also, the term “or” is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so that when used, for example, to connect a list of elements, the term “or” means one, some, or all of the elements in the list. Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may be either X, Y, or Z. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z to each be present.

The term “and/or” means that “and” applies to some embodiments and “or” applies to some embodiments. Thus, A, B, and/or C can be replaced with A, B, and C written in one sentence and A, B, or C written in another sentence. A, B, and/or C means that some embodiments can include A and B, some embodiments can include A and C, some embodiments can include B and C, some embodiments can only include A, some embodiments can include only B, some embodiments can include only C, and some embodiments include A, B, and C. The term “and/or” is used to avoid unnecessary redundancy.

While certain example embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions disclosed herein. Thus, nothing in the foregoing description is intended to imply that any particular feature, characteristic, step, module, or block is necessary or indispensable. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form of the methods and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions disclosed herein. 

The following is claimed:
 1. A footwear accessory, comprising: an inner strap having a first attachment mechanism and a second attachment mechanism, wherein the inner strap is sized and configured to wrap around a perimeter of a lower leg of a user and releasably couple to the lower leg via the first attachment mechanism; and an outer strap configured to couple to the second attachment mechanism, wherein when the outer strap is coupled to the second attachment mechanism, the outer strap covers a majority of the inner strap.
 2. The footwear accessory of claim 1, wherein the outer strap comprises an embellishment comprising at least one of leather, plastic, lace, beads, jewelry, twine, cotton, feather, wool, silk, a ribbon, and a belt, and wherein the embellishment is designed and configured to complement a look of the user.
 3. The footwear accessory of claim 2, wherein the inner strap is sized and configured to wrap around a perimeter of at least one of an upper ankle and foot of the user.
 4. The footwear accessory of claim 3, wherein the first attachment mechanism comprises at least one of a first snap fastener, a first metal fastener, a first hook and first loop, a first magnet, a first string, and a first zipper.
 5. The footwear accessory of claim 4, wherein the inner strap defines a first height and the first attachment mechanism defines a second height that is greater than the first height.
 6. The footwear accessory of claim 5, wherein the inner strap defines a first width that wraps around the perimeter of the lower leg of the user, and the outer strap defines a second width that is less than the first width.
 7. The footwear accessory of claim 6, wherein the second width is less than the perimeter of the lower leg of the user such that the outer strap does not entirely wrap around the lower leg.
 8. The footwear accessory of claim 4, wherein the second attachment mechanism comprises at least one of a second snap fastener, a second metal fastener, a second hook and second loop, a second magnet, a second string, and a second zipper.
 9. The footwear accessory of claim 8, wherein the embellishment comprises at least one of a scarf, tassel, and pom pom.
 10. The footwear accessory of claim 9, wherein the embellishment vertically hangs down a portion of at least one of the upper ankle and foot whereby the embellishment covers at least a portion of footwear worn by the user.
 11. The footwear accessory of claim 10, wherein the footwear comprises one of a sandal and thong boot.
 12. The footwear accessory of claim 10, wherein the footwear comprises a high-heeled shoe, and the embellishment is arranged and configured to conceal a blemish mark on the high-heeled shoe.
 13. The footwear accessory of claim 8, wherein the footwear comprises one of a single strap sandal, multiple strap sandal, boot, stiletto, and pump, and wherein the embellishment is designed and configured to match a color and style of the footwear.
 14. The footwear accessory of claim 8, wherein the inner strap is sized and configured to wrap around at least a portion of the footwear.
 15. The footwear accessory of claim 8, wherein the inner strap is sized and configured to wrap around at least a portion of the user's clothing.
 16. The footwear accessory of claim 8, wherein the embellishment is a first embellishment, wherein the outer strap comprises a second embellishment comprising at least one of leather, plastic, lace, beads, jewelry, twine, cotton, feather, wool, a ribbon, and a belt, and wherein the second embellishment is designed and configured to complement the look of the user.
 17. The footwear accessory of claim 8, wherein the outer strap is a first outer strap, the footwear accessory further comprising a second outer strap configured to couple to at least one of the second attachment mechanism and the first outer strap.
 18. The footwear accessory of claim 17, wherein the second outer strap comprises a second embellishment comprising at least one of leather, plastic, lace, beads, jewelry, twine, cotton, feather, wool, a ribbon, and a belt, and wherein the second embellishment is designed and configured to complement the look of the user.
 19. The footwear accessory of claim 2, further comprising an internal sleeve releasably coupled to the inner strap and the outer strap, wherein the internal sleeve is configured to position the footwear accessory in a predetermined location along the lower leg of the user, and wherein the internal sleeve comprises flexible material configured to allow the footwear accessory to slide over a user's foot and ankle.
 20. The footwear accessory of claim 2, wherein the embellishment comprises leather having a first embroidery design, the footwear accessory further comprising a piece of fabric attached to the embellishment, the piece of fabric having a second embroidery design. 